IMPROVING THE WWF-SASSI SUSTAINABILITY RATING OF KEY NON-TARGET SPECIES FROM THE HAKE OFFSHORE TRAWL SECTOR

IMPROVING THE WWF-SASSI SUSTAINABILITY RATING OF KEY NON-TARGET SPECIES FROM THE HAKE OFFSHORE TRAWL SECTOR Prepared for the Responsible Fisheries Alliance 3 March 2015 Prepared by Jessica Greenstone ::WWF-SA Marine Fellow: UCT Marine Research Institute:: 1 st Floor, Bridge House Boundary Terraces Mariendahl Lane, Newlands P.O.Box23273 Claremont 7735 Tel: +27 21 657 6672 Email: jgreenstone@wwf.org.za

I. Introduction This project was commissioned by the RFA and is a review of the WWF-SASSI assessments conducted for key non-target species from the South African hake offshore trawl fishery in order to propose a set of sector-wide improvement actions. The goal of these improvement actions are to meaningfully impact the WWF-SASSI sustainability rating of joint product (retained non-target) species landed in the fishery. This report provides an overview of the significant retained non-target species landed by the offshore trawl sector, the existing WWF-SASSI ratings of any such species, and any changes over time in such ratings. Following these introductory sections, is a recommendation of fishery improvement projects that are anticipated to improve the WWF-SASSI assessment outcome that underpin the existing WWF-SASSI ratings. II. Overview of Joint Product in the Offshore Trawl Sector Demersal trawl fisheries have a limited ability to target species and, thus, capture an appreciable volume of non-target (bycatch) species, which may be retained if they have commercial value and discarded if they do not (Walmsley et al., 2007b). A number of commercially relevant non-target species are landed in significant quantities in the offshore trawl sector, including monkfish (Lophius vomerinus), horse mackerel (Trachurus capensis), ribbonfish (Lepidopus caudatus), kingklip (Genypterus capensis), snoek (Thyrsites atun), cape dory (Zeus capensis), jacopever (Helicolenus dactylopterus), angelfish (Brama brama), gurnard (Chelidonichthys capensis), and panga (Pterogymnus laniarius) (Smith et al., 2013). A snapshot of the retained non-target for the sector based on commercial landings data for the years 2000 to 2010 is provided in Figure 13 (Smith et al., 2013). In order of weight landed on average per year, the following 15 non-target species compose the most significant for the sector: 1. Monkfish (7470 tons) 2. Horse mackerel (4160 tons) 3. Ribbonfish (3892 tons)* 4. Kingklip (3170 tons) 5. Snoek (2038 tons) 6. Cape Dory (964 tons) 7. Jacopever (789 tons) 8. Angelfish (Atlantic pomfret) (596 tons) 9. Skates (331 tons) 10. Mackerel (316 tons)* 11. Chokka squid (311 tons)* 12. Gurnard (235 tons) 13. Panga (220 tons) 14. St. Joseph shark (204 tons)* (Smith et al., 2013) 15. East coast sole (202 tons)* (Smith et al., 2013). *These species have not yet been assessed by WWF-SASSI from the offshore trawl sector. 2

III. WWF-SASSI The Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) was initiated by WWF South Africa in collaboration with other networking partners in November 2004 in order to inform and educate all participants in the seafood trade, from wholesalers to restaurateurs to seafood lovers, about the relevance of seafood sustainability. This has primarily been achieved by developing a seafood ranking system that categorises seafood species into the following three colour categorisations in terms of environmental sustainability: the Green-list indicates fishing for the species is ecologically sustainable, the Orange-list advises a measure of caution as there may be some sustainability concerns and the Red-list indicates that there are serious concerns regarding the ecological sustainability associated with the fishing. The WWF-SASSI methodology and guideposts used to underpin the colour determinations noted above have evolved since the programme was initiated in KwaZulu-Natal in 2004. Initially, the programme relied solely upon expert opinion to determine the appropriate sustainability rating (colour) per species. Seeing the need for an objective and ecologically robust assessment framework, the programme adopted the assessment methodology developed in 2009 under the umbrella of the Seafood Choices Alliance by WWF, the North Sea Foundation (NSF) and the Marine Conservation Society (MCS). The methodology was significantly updated in 2012 when fisheries scientists, the North Sea Foundation and WWF fisheries experts from Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States thoroughly reworked the methodology. WWF-SA subsequently undertook additional actions to align the standards used in the WWF-SASSI programme to those used by the WWF network globally. The basis for this global alignment is the dynamic nature of the seafood trade. Fish is among the most traded food commodities worldwide, worth almost US$130 billion in 2012 (WWF-SA, 2014). The South African seafood market substantially engages in this global trade. In 2010, just over 50% of the 312.8 million kilograms of seafood consumed in South Africa was imported (WWF-SA, 2014). Similarly, South African fisheries also export a substantial proportion of the annual catch to lucrative international markets, primarily European. In 2010, approximately 624,000 tonnes of fish were caught in South African fisheries and 129,000 tons were exported (approximately 20.7%). South African and European consumers alike rely on WWF network offices for seafood assessments. WWF-SA is a part of this network and contributes assessments for South African species and relies on offices abroad for assessments on imported species. Thus, it is essential for WWF-SA to share a common standard with its global networking partners. i. Overview of current WWF-SASSI Assessments for Offshore Trawl Sector species. There are 13 species from the offshore trawl sector presently found on the WWF-SASSI list, 11 of which have been assessed by WWF-SASSI. The two target hake species are MSC certified and therefore listed on the Green-list although they have not been assessed by WWF-SASSI. Six of the thirteen species are on the Green-list (gurnard, snoek, monk, angelfish, and the two hake species); Five are on the Orange-list (cape dory, panga, octopus, kingklip, and horse mackerel); and 3

Two are on the Red-list (jacopever and biscuit skate). ii. Changes Over Time in WWF-SASSI Assessment outcomes. Three species (angelfish, gurnard and octopus) have only been WWF-SASSI assessed once and thus there is no comparison to be made over time. Four species (cape dory, panga, kingklip and snoek) have been assessed twice but the colours did not change in the re-assessment. One species (monk) improved over time from Orange-list (2010) to Green-list (2013). Three species (jacopever, biscuit skate and horse mackerel have deteriorated in colour); biscuit skate and jacopever went from Orange-list (2010) to Red-list (2014) whereas horse mackerel went from Green-list (2010) to Orange-list (2014). 4

Table 1. Table listing the WWF-SASSI assessed species landed by the hake offshore trawl sector with colour-ratings listed per year of assessment and a brief summary of the principal reasons for the colour changes. The present colour rating is indicated in bold. SPECIES 2010 2013 2014 REASONS FOR CHANGES Angelfish (Brama brama) Green N/A N/A N/A Cape Dory (Zeus capensis) Orange N/A Orange N/A Gurnard (Chelidonichthys capensis) Green N/A N/A N/A Horse Mackerel (Trachurus trachurus capensis) Green N/A Orange Q11 (habitat effects). Information presented at the review panel was that cold water corals are impacted by the trawling, which resulted in a decline. Q13 (management). Loss of government-funded observer programme and loss of government research vessel, which resulted in a decline of management capacity. Changes in methodology removed supplementation of points due to MSC certification. Jacopever (Helicolenus Orange N/A Red Same as for Horse Mackerel. dactylopterus) Kingklip (Genypterus capensis) Orange N/A Orange N/A Monk (Lophius vomerinus) Orange Green N/A QB2 & QB5, update of the stock assessment resulted in improved rating in knowledge of the stock and the impacts of fishing (i.e. sustainability of fishing pressure). Q7 (ETP) and Q13 (management), improvements based on mandatory use of tori lines on wetfish vessels. Octopus (Octopus vulgaris) N/A N/A Orange N/A Panga (Pterogymnus laniarus) Orange N/A Orange N/A Skates, Biscuit skate (Raja miraletus) Orange N/A Red Same as for Horse Mackerel. In addition, declines to QC5 based on recent survey abundance trends that show a significant decline on the South Coast. Snoek (Thyrsites atun) Green Green N/A N/A 5

iii. Reasons for Changes Over Time Detail. a. Factors that have Caused Change. Positive changes over time in WWF-SASSI Assessment outcomes were associated with a reduction in ecosystem impacts due to the sector s initiative to use tori lines on all wetfish vessels. Specifically, the question concerning impacts to ETP species (Question 7) improved from likely to cause significant damage to no or conflicting information regarding impacts to ETP species. This similarly improved responses on how effective management has been regarding ETP species (Question 13). Negative changes over time in WWF-SASSI Assessment outcomes were caused by a variety of factors including resource availability as reported in scientific documents and management capacity declines (e.g., loss of Offshore Resources Observer Programme (OROP)). (i) Changes in Resource Availability and/or Lack of Basic Biological Data. Resource availability and environmental conditions have changed since 2004 and will continue to change over time. There is growing literature on changes in the South African marine ecosystem due to overfishing, climate change, and potentially ecosystem shifts, which may be driven by these and other factors (Blamey et al., 2015). Specifically, biscuit skate declined in score over the assessment period because declining trends in abundance were reported along the South Coast. (ii) Changes in management of the Resource. At the time the WWF-SASSI assessment process began in 2004 and during the 2010 assessment cycle, DAFF was operating an offshore resources observer programme (OROP) that collected at-sea observations of South Africa s commercial fisheries, including the offshore trawl sector. DAFF also had annual trawl surveys of both the South and West coasts undertaken by its research vessel, the FRS Africana. Both the annual surveys and the OROP programme provided essential data to understand the fishing impacts on the ecosystem on both target and non-target species impacted. The OROP programme came to a halt in 2011. In an effort to retain the observers who had developed substantial skills in monitoring, SADSTIA continued funding a limited OROP programme active in many vessels of the offshore fleet. While this is a positive development and the industry should be lauded filling in the gap, it is a setback in terms of DAFF s management capacity. Similarly, the disruptions in the government trawl surveys conducted on the FRS Africana also have led to a perception of management decline of the offshore resources. Annual surveys of the fish resources on the South and West Coasts of South Africa provide critical data necessary to formulate scientific advice. In early 2012, the FRS Africana was taken out of service and continues to be out of service. A (minimum) two-year gap in the survey record thus exists. While DAFF commissioned a commercial vessel to undertake surveys in 2013 and 2014, there 6

are uncertainties resulting from gear differences that complicate the reliance on trends derived from the surveys. While not yet directly affecting the score of the offshore trawl assessments, the rights allocation challenges across sectors are also an indication of decline in effective management. In sum, the management-related issues listed above have resulted in declines in Q13 (management) and prevented improvements that otherwise could have been gained in the past few years. (iii) Management lagging behind evolving conceptions of Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) management. South Africa in the MLRA has committed itself to adopting an EAF management. While there have been periods of substantial work product directed towards an EAF management, the perception is that this has declined in recent years. There was an Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) process that WWF-SA helped coordinate with DAFF and other stakeholders beginning around 2006/2007 through the Benguela Current commission. ERAs, which were designed to help fishery managers prioritise EAF issues relevant to a given fishery sector, were subsequently conducted. DAFF was anticipated to take the lead in implementing the ERA process but this has not materialised. Further, the DAFF EAF scientific working group has been disbanded and EAF-related issues have been mandated to the relevant scientific working groups (SWG). However, there is not yet an indication that EAF issues are proactively addressed by the SWGs and/or prioritised for review. In addition, there remains no fishery management plan for the hake fishery that considers the target and principal ecosystem impacts (e.g., sustainability of key nontarget species). IV. Joint Product Species Tiers Per the agreed terms of reference, industry members were consulted with (at the RFA Projects Working Group meeting help on 12 February 2015) in order to categorise the joint product species into tiers of economic importance. Three tiers holding the 11 SASSI-assessed non-target species, ranked from the economically most important to least important, are as follows: Tier I: Kingklip, Monkfish Tier II: Angelfish, Horse mackerel, Jacopever and Snoek Tier III: Cape ( John ) Dory, Gurnard, Octopus, Panga, Skates 7

V. Improvement Projects This section proposes several projects that could be undertaken by the sector that are anticipated to substantially improve the relevant WWF-SASSI Assessment outcomes. These projects are for the consideration of the RFA and the offshore trawl sector. It is envisaged that this report will start an engaging dialogue on the projects with key stakeholders in the sector, understanding that some elements may first need to be modified based on input received from the RFA. A. Project #1: Application of EAF management tools to the sector. This project is the most comprehensive with the largest gains in colour anticipated. Essentially, this project will implement appropriate EAF actions in the sector by improving the monitoring of ETP species and developing an EAF plan for the sector. Questions 7 (ETP species), 13 (management), and 14 (ecosystem based management) are each anticipated to improve by one response level if this project is successfully completed. The key elements of this project are the following: (i) Improvements to the ongoing SADSTIA observer programme to collect additional data on discards and ETP species. The impact of the hake trawl fishery on overfished/vulnerable/etp species is not well understood as a general matter. There are biodiversity concerns associated with the impacts to seabirds and vulnerable non-target species by the sector (Sink et al., 2012). While the impacts to seabirds are presently well managed and understood, it will be important for the sector to continue the diligent use of tori lines in compliance with related permit conditions. At some point in the future, it will be necessary to demonstrate that the freezer vessels are also using tori lines and/or demonstrate that such use is not necessary due to reduced risk. In regards to the non-seabird vulnerable/overfished/etp non-target species, the total catches of these species have historically been unavailable because discards are not regularly quantified by the observer programme or otherwise (Smith, 2013) and retained catches are often reported at a group level, e.g., sharks or skates. Two different data collections should begin to be routinely collected: (a) Improved data collection of total discards of (i) hake and (ii) non-target species (with some subcategorisation as detailed). The at-sea observer programme can be modified to take representative samples of discards from the discard chute. A rough understanding of the discards can be made by categorising discards at the group level. The total catches of sharks, skates, and unwanted bycatches will therefore be measured. Further, discards of vulnerable/overfished/etp species should be identified down to the species level as much as possible. A related RFA project (undertaken by UCT) on ETP species is working on developing such a list relevant to each of the fishing sectors. For these species, then, the at-sea observers would be instructed to identify down to the species level. The result of this work would be an estimate of discards per annum in the following categories: (1) hake, (2) non-target species (total), (3) sharks, (4) skates, (5) ETP species 1, (6) ETP species 2, etc. (b) Improved data collection of retained catches of vulnerable/overfished/etp species. The starting place for this work is having an agreed upon list of vulnerable/overfished/etp species that should be monitored. The UCT-RFA project noted above will provide a first draft listing of these species. The 8

SADSTIA observer programme could ensure that its observers record down to the species level the retained catches (and discards) of these species to obtain estimates. (ii) Development of an ecosystem based management approach for the sector. A management plan for the South African hake sector that explicitly considers ecosystem issues relevant to the trawl sector, notably, non-target catches (including seabirds), discards, habitat impacts, and socioeconomic aspects. Short of such a management plan, an ecosystem-based management approach that guides scientific recommendations and management responses could be more easily developed and tackle many of the same issues by undertaking the following: Management advice from the DSWG includes ecosystem-related issues, such as a brief summary on each of the following topics: principal retained species catches, discards, and habitat impacts. The key EAF issues (bycatch, discards and habitat impacts) are regularly monitored by the DSWG (or a task team) and are reviewed at least annually. DAFF management considers as part of the management plan or otherwise in a regular interval, (i) the social wellbeing of dependent fishing communities, and (ii) the economic wellbeing of the fishing industry. The fishery demonstrates compliance to regulations that reduce ecosystem impacts of fisheries. The anticipated result of these efforts would be the following response changes: Q7 (ETP species). The response is anticipated to improve to the fishery is not likely to cause significant damage. This is assuming that the data provided by the increased monitoring identifies that the ETP species are not being significantly impacted by the trawl fishing. If the data shows a different result, then next steps with the fishery will need to be taken to ensure any such significant impacts are being managed appropriately. Q13 (management). The response is anticipated to change to management is effective. Q14 (ecosystem based management plan). The response is anticipated to change to an ecosystem based management plan is being implemented effectively. Based on the status of the fish resources as reflected in the most recent WWF-SASSI assessments undertaken, it is anticipated that the following species would be on the Green-list as a result of successful implementation of this project: Angelfish Gurnard Horse Mackerel Kingklip Monk Snoek 9

The following would be on the Orange-list: Biscuit skate Cape Dory Jacopever Octopus Panga The five species identified as remaining on the Orange-list after this Project #1 may be elevated to the Green-list as provided in Project #2 below. For these species, additional species-specific measures are necessary that are detailed below. B. Project #2: Application of a Non-target Management Improvement Programme to the Sector. This project will focus on improving and formalising the management of the key retained non-target species in the sector. The following 11 species recommended for inclusion are based on the volume of retained landings and/or commercial importance: angelfish, horse mackerel, kingklip, monk, snoek, ribbonfish, cape dory, jacopever, panga, octopus and gurnard. Although biscuit skate is not a commercially important species or landed in significant volume, it is a species of conservation concern and the same approach provided here for the 11 species could be applicable to biscuit skate. The work recommended here will effectively place all of these species onto Track B in Category 1 under the WWF-SASSI Wild Capture Assessment Methodology, to the extent the species is not already on Track B. Depending upon the rigour of the stock assessment, it is possible the species could be placed onto Track A. For purposes of this analysis, it was assumed all species would be assessed on Track B. Further, favourable responses to Track B Questions QB2 through QB5 are anticipated, however, it must be noted that if the stock assessment analyses demonstrate that the stock is overexploited, this will obviously result in less favourable responses. The following actions would be required to place these species onto Track B: Accurate data reported at the drag level for the species. I.e. skippers would need to correctly write down bins per drag per species. In other words, the skippers cannot lump any of these species with other species in bins and must accurately report per species per drag even if less than 1 bin is full. At least every three years, a stock assessment or replacement yield analysis that will provide an index of abundance with reference points (or proxies thereof) shall be conducted. Annual catch limits i.e., PUCLs for the species or a suitable trigger at which a PUCL is provided. It is our understanding that SADSTIA is presently managing several PUCLs so that work could just be expanded to cover the additional species. An alternative approach could be use of a trigger that if breached would require additional management measures. In other words, no PUCL required unless the catches cross a pre-defined trigger level or the abundance trends indicate a decline, which would indicate that more intensive management is required. 10

These actions should bring all 11 species onto the Orange-list. A stronger guarantee cannot be made at this time because the points awarded in Track B are dependent upon how the stock is doing at the time of the assessment. If only Project #2 is selected (i.e., not Project #1), to push these 11 (or 12 if biscuit skate is included) species onto the Green-list (assuming a healthy stock status of the species under assessment) more work in regards to increasing knowledge about the ecosystem effects of the fishing are required. A Green-list status should be achievable for all 11 species if the actions listed under part (i) of Project A were undertaken: (a) Improved data collection of total discards of hake and non-target species (with some sub-categorisation as detailed above), and (b) improved data collection of retained catches of vulnerable/overfished/etp species. C. MSC Certification of Commercially Valuable Non-Target Species. Another approach is adding key retained non-target species (e.g. monkfish and kingklip) to the MSC certification. MSC certification will likely necessitate some improvements in the information and management of the non-target species and successful certification will also result in a Green-listing for any such species. This approach, however, will only affect the species added to the MSC certification and, thus, is limited in scope in comparison to the other projects listed. VI. Conclusion An analysis of the hake offshore trawl sector WWF-SASSI species ratings identify that the sector can substantially improve its scoring, particularly in regards to the ecosystem impacts of fishing. The sector is anticipated to substantially improve its WWF-SASSI ratings by focusing on increased monitoring of non-target species, specifically, by quantifying discards and retained catches of ETP species through ongoing observer programmes. The sector can also substantially improve the rating of key retained non-target species by formalising and expanding existing management through a coordinated management plan. References Blamey, L. K., Shannon, L. J., Bolton, J. J., Crawford, R. J. M., Dufois, F., Evers-King, H., Winker, H., (2014), Ecosystem change in the southern Benguela and the underlying processes, Journal of Marine Systems, 144, 9 29. doi:10.1016/j.jmarsys.2014.11.006. Smith, M, K. Cochrane, and D. Japp, (2013), Review of Significant bycatch and Joint Product species in the South African Hake-Directed trawl fishery, CapFish document prepared for the South African Deep Sea Trawling Industry Association, 69pp. WWF-SA, (2014), From Boat To Plate: Linking The Seafood Consumer And Supply Chain, Report, available at: http://www.wwf.org.za/media_room/publications/?12741/from-boat-to-plate (last accessed 11 February 2015), Cape Town. 11